As you were: Small can be big again

Q: I have two problems that both started recently out of the blue.

When I start my Internet Explorer from the icon on my desktop, the Internet comes up full screen, but if I start the Internet by selecting "start," "favorites," then a Web site, the Internet comes up as a small window that I have to maximize. Also, when I am on the Internet and I click on a link, the new window comes up small and behind my current window. I then have to select my current window, then select the new window, then maximize it.

Thank you so much for any help.

A.P.

The first step is to make sure you have upgraded to the latest version of Internet Explorer, which is IE8, says John Proctor, who works in the support group of AtlanticBT, a Raleigh Web development company.

You can download the most recent version of IE for free at www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx.

If upgrading your browser doesn't fix the problems, there are several other approaches you can try.

Starting with your first issue, IE windows are supposed to open by default at the same size as when they were last closed, Proctor said.

To reset the browser size, close all of your IE windows. Open a new window by selecting a favorite from the start menu. Maximize the window, and then close it. Now try again and see if the window opens in the largest size.

If this doesn't work, Proctor suggests a solution from TheElderGeek .com . Open a single IE window at the small size, then manually maximize it by dragging the corners until it completely fills the screen.

Hold down the Ctrl key and keep it depressed. Click "File" on the browser's menu bar, then "Exit." Do not use the X in the upper right corner to close the window.

IE should now open in a full window, Proctor said. If not, repeat this process, substituting "Shift" for "Ctrl."

If all else fails, you can reset Internet Explorer back to its default settings. Open a browser window and go to "Tools," then "Internet Options" and the "Advanced" tab. Select the "Reset" button and click "OK."

Resetting the default settings also should fix the second issue with new windows opening behind the active window, Proctor said.

By the way, in IE8, windows typically open as new tabs in the same browser. You can choose whether to have links open as a new tab, a new window or the current tab by going to "Tools," "Internet Options" and the "General" tab. Click on the "Settings" button under the "Tabs" heading in the bottom of the box to choose.

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